Suresh Raina feels Sam Curran's inclusion in Punjab Kings will help the team go big at IPL 2023

The auction for the 16^th edition of the Indian Premier League successfully concluded on Friday evening in Kochi as all ten teams managed to build a strong squad. The highlights of the auction had been the English players, who earned big deals from various franchises. Harry Brook, Sam Curran, and Ben Stokes went for the big bucks as they were roped in by Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, and Chennai Super Kings respectively.

The World Cup-winning players attracted multiple franchises at the auction, and an amazing bidding war was witnessed. The one player who earned the biggest sum not just at this year’s auction but in the history of IPL was Sam Curran. The all-rounder, who showcased brilliance at the T20 World Cup, was signed by PBKS for a record-shattering sum of INR 18.50 crore.

The 24-year-old, who represented Chennai Super Kings in the 2020 and 2021 editions, started his IPL career with the Punjab-based franchise in 2019. He will be back to where it all began, and the franchise too will be hoping to get their hands on their maiden title, having built up such a strong team. Suresh Raina believes that Sam Curran’s arrival has increased the Punjab Kings’ chances of making it to the playoffs.

“Absolutely, he played his first IPL for Punjab. Then, he did the Lungi dance and now has to do the Bhangra in Punjab – having Shikhar on the side! Sam Curran tweeted that he is back to where he started his IPL career. It will be a challenge, but I think he is a match-winner, and we’ll have to see how Punjab Kings use him,” said Raina while speaking to JioCinema.

Sam Curran’s arrival has increased their hopes of getting into the playoffs: Raina

Punjab Kings have never won an IPL title. In the 15 editions of the cash-rich event, they managed to make it to the playoffs only twice, of which they made to the finals once in 2014. Their dream now looks achievable with the inclusion of Sam Curran in their side, who has strengthened their bowling lineup as well as the middle-order batting unit.

“They have Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, and Rahul Chahar – they have a good bowling line-up but Sam Curran coming into the team will be a good addition to the squad. Punjab Kings needed a positive change and Sam Curran’s arrival into the team I think has increased their hopes of getting into the playoffs.”